In its 3 ½ years, Rob Shaul’s gym has developed quite a following among Jackson’s elite athletes. It’s not your average gym; it is all about mountain athletes and sports. He won over a few respected local mountaineers, and the positive word spread: impressive gains in strength and conditioning from the gym without putting on unwanted body mass, and relentless misery one can later cash in for performance in the mountains.

Today, training with Max and I, yet on their own programs, the athletes run the gamut from a concert clarinetist, professional ice climber Mattie Scheafor, and some mountain guides. Rob oversees, somehow keeping track of everyone all once, shouting directions and encouragement as the workouts progress.